Stream processing without central transportation planning

ABSTRACT

In using a virtual extensible local area network (VXLAN) for stream processing, a management system allocates resources for a streaming application based on an operator graph of the streaming application. The management system assigns the resources to a group of VXLAN segments based on the operator graph of the streaming application. A first processing element of the streaming application multicasts data on the group of VXLAN segments. A second processing element on a given VXLAN segment of the group of VXLAN segments receives the data. If the second processing element is an intended recipient of the data, then the second processing element processes the data. If the second processing element is not the intended recipient of the data, then the second processing element ignores the data.

BACKGROUND

Streaming applications are known in the art, and typically includemultiple operators, or software analytic modules, coupled together in anoperator graph that process data in near real-time. The operators,grouped into processing units, are placed across multiple hosts, ornodes, in a distributed or cloud computing environment. Currently,streaming applications rely on transmission control protocol (TCP)connections to move data between processing elements. However, TCPconnections have certain drawbacks. If one of the many processingelements die, then often the data this processing element was processingis lost. Data may also be lost if a TCP connection breaks, and the TCPconnection will then have to be rebuilt before data can continue to beprocessed. Further, TCP requires a centralized transportation manager tomanage the TCP connections for the streaming applications, which can bea bottleneck in the speed at which broken TCP connections can berebuilt.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is a method for stream processing using VXLAN, and acomputer program product and system as specified in the independentclaims. Embodiments of the present invention are given in the dependentclaims. Embodiments of the present invention can be freely combined witheach other if they are not mutually exclusive.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a management systemallocates resources for a streaming application based on an operatorgraph of the streaming application. The management system assigns theresources to a group of VXLAN segments based on the operator graph ofthe streaming application. A first processing element of the streamingapplication multicasts data on the group of VXLAN segments. A secondprocessing element on a given VXLAN segment of the group of VXLANsegments receives the data. If the second processing element is anintended recipient of the data, then the second processing elementprocesses the data. If the second processing element is not the intendedrecipient of the data, then the second processing element ignores thedata.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a cloud computing environment according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts abstraction model layers according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary stream computing environment, accordingto some embodiments, configured to execute a streaming application.

FIG. 4 illustrates a simple example of the operator graph according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example configuration of processing elementsaccording to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method for stream processing using VXLAN accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of stream processing using VXLAN accordingto some embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a computer system, one or more of which implementsthe stream runtime environment, according to embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 1 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 2, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 1) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 2 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94; andtransaction processing 95.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary stream computing environment, accordingto some embodiments, configured to execute a streaming application. Thestream computing environment 10 includes a management system 100, whichincludes a stream manager 101, which includes a scheduler 102, aresource manager 103, and a network manager 104. The stream computingenvironment 10 further includes a plurality of computing nodes, orhosts, 110A-110D. The management system 100 and the plurality ofcomputing nodes 110A-110D communicate over a communications network 120.The communications network 120 may include one or more servers,networks, or databases, and may use a particular communication protocolto transfer data between the computing nodes 110A-110D. Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, the management system 100 may be implemented in thevirtualization layer 70 and the management layer 80. More specifically,the provisioning of networks specifically to meet the needs for thestreaming application may be implemented in the virtualization layer 70,which sends resource requests to the management layer 80. Customers ofthe stream computing service write streaming applications by defining anoperator graph 105, which is compiled and submitted to the managementsystem 100. The scheduler 102 of the stream manager 101 places theoperators in the operator graph 105 on one or more computing nodes110A-110D.

FIG. 4 illustrates a simple example of the operator graph 104 accordingto some embodiments. The example operator graph 105 includes sixoperators A-G (401-404). Each operator 401-404 receives data, referredto as “tuples”, and applies analytic logic to the tuples. The operatormay change the tuple by adding or subtracting attributes or updating thevalues of existing attributes within the tuple. When the analytic logicis complete, a new tuple is sent to the next operator. When the operatorgraph 104 of a streaming application is submitted to the stream manager101, the scheduler 102 places the operators on computing nodes110A-110D. The scheduler 102 may combine, or “fuse”, multiple operatorstogether to form a processing element (PE). As illustrated in FIG. 4,operators A and B (401-402) are fused into processing element PE1,operators C, D, and F (403-405) are fused into processing element PE2,and operator G (406) is alone in processing element PE3. To achievescalability and performance, the scheduler 102 may distribute theprocessing elements, PE1-PE3, across multiple computing nodes 110A-110D.As illustrated in FIG. 5, the streaming application begins from a source501 and ends at one or more sinks 502-503. Computing node 110A includesprocessing elements PE1, PE2, and PE3. Tuples from the source 501 flowsinto the processing element PE1 and are processed by the operators401-402 contained in processing element PE1. The tuples are output byprocessing element PE1 to processing elements PE2 and PE3. Tuples outputby processing element PE2 flow to processing element PE4 on computingnode 110B, and tuples output by processing element PE3 flow toprocessing element PE5 on computing node 110B and processing element PE7on computing node 110C. Tuples output by processing elements PE4 and PE5flow to operators in a sink PE6. Similarly, tuples flow from processingelement PE7 to processing element PE8 on computing node 110C. Tuplesoutput from processing element PE8 flow to processing element PE9 oncomputing node 110D, which in turn outputs tuples to be processed byoperators in a sink processing element, for example PE10.

Embodiments of the present invention deploys the operators andprocessing elements of a streaming application using Virtual ExtensibleLocal Area Network (Virtual Extensible LAN or VXLAN) segments instead ofTCP connections. VXLAN is a protocol for running an overlay network onexisting Layer 3 infrastructure. An overlay network is a virtual networkthat is built on top of existing network Layer 2 and Layer 3technologies to support elastic computer architectures. VXLAN allowsgreater scalability in a cloud computing environment while logicallyisolating streaming applications and tenants in the cloud computingenvironment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a method for stream processing using VXLAN accordingto some embodiments. First, the stream computing management system 100receives a submission of a streaming application, including its operatorgraph 105 (601). The scheduler 102 then examines the SLA for thestreaming application and sends the requirements of the SLA to theresource manager 103 and the network manager 104 (602). The resourcemanager 103 allocates the resources to meet the requirements of the SLA(603). In some embodiments, the allocation of resources by the resourcemanager 103 is based on a historical analysis of the streamingapplication or similar data processing patterns, stored in a patterndatabase (not shown). Based on the historical analysis, n number ofresources are provisioned to an VXLAN segment. For example, for aPE-to-PE communication that has not been historically stable, theresource manager 103 allocates additional resources to the VXLAN segmentbetween these PE's. In some embodiments, when the historical analysisfinds no matching history, the resource manager 103 retrieves data fromthe pattern database and searches for similar data processing patternswith associated values, such as the number of resources used on theVXLAN segment. The resource manager 103 then allocates the resourcesbased on the values associated with this pattern.

The network manager 104 assigns the resources allocated by the resourcemanager 103 to a group of VXLAN segments based on the operator graph 105of the streaming application (604). The VXLAN segment is based on whichPE's exchange data per the operator graph 105. For example, referring toFIG. 5, PE1 and PE2 would be on VXLAN segment 1, PE1 and PE3 would be onVXLAN segment 2, PE2 and PE4 would be on VXLAN segment 3, PE3 and PE5would be on VXLAN segment 4, PE3 and PE7 would be on VXLAN segment 5,etc. Each VXLAN segment is assigned a unique segment identifier.

Once the resources are placed in the group of VXLAN segments by theresource manager 103 and the network manager 104, a first PE multicastsdata on the group of VXLAN segments (605). All of the PE's on each VXLANsegment in the group receives the data. A second PE on a given VXLAN ofthe group of VXLAN segments receives the data (606). If a second PE isthe intended recipient (by, for example, examining the recipient addressin the data header), then the second PE processes the data (607). If thesecond PE is not intended recipient, then the second PE ignores the data(608). In some embodiments, whether a data has been properly received byoperators is determined using a consensus protocol, such as Paxos.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, assume that PE1 is on computingnodes A, B, and C. PE2 is on computing nodes D, E, and F. PE3 is oncomputing nodes G, H, and I. Assume also that the operator graph 105 forthe streaming application indicates that a tuple is to stream from PE1to PE2 to PE3. In some embodiments, PE1 on computing node A receives thetuple T. PE1 then broadcasts the tuple T to PE2. Assume that PE2 oncomputing node D receives the tuple T first, and PE2 on computing nodesE and F also receive the tuple T. Using a consensus algorithm, when aconfigured minimum number of computing nodes D, E, and F agree that thetuple T has been received, the tuple T can be multicast to the next PEin the operator graph, in this case PE3. Based on a combination offactors, such as node workload, current network latency, and performancecharacteristics, the optimal computing node is selected by consensus.Assume in this example, that the computing node D is selected as theoptimal computing node. Computing node D then broadcasts the tuple T toPE3 at computing nodes G, H, and I.

In the case where multiple PEs reside on the computing node, forexample, when PE1 and PE2 both reside on computing node A, both PE1 andPE2 receives the tuple T. The metadata for tuple T includes the PEsource and the PE destination. PE1 and PE2 each reads the metadata fortuple T. PE1 determines that it is the intended recipient and proceedsto process the tuple. PE2 determines that it is not the intendedrecipient and ignores or drops the tuple.

Optionally, when selecting the optimal computing node, historicalreliability measures could also be used as a factor. If absolute datadelivery guarantee is required, a send back mechanism can beimplemented, where the optimal computing node selected by consensusbroadcasts back to the sender PE a confirmation of receipt of the tuple.A checksum or other calculated value can also be used for furtherguarantee. If the sender PE does not receive the confirmation within aconfigured timeout period, then the sender PE can rebroadcast the tuple.

In building VXLAN segments between the PE's of the streamingapplication, no transportation manager component is required since nomanagement of TCP connections is required.

In some embodiments, in a host failover scenario, an active host and oneor more backup hosts are placed on the same VXLAN segment. The segmentidentifier for the VXLAN segment is compiled as part of streamingapplication code. When data is multicast on the group of VXLAN segments,per block 605, the data is received by the active host and each backuphost. If the active host fails, one of the backup hosts is selected toreplace the failed host. The selected backup host is then added to theVXLAN segment associated with the segment identifier as the active host.Since the backup host had already been receiving the multicast data, thebackup host can begin functioning as soon as it is designated the activehost, without the delay otherwise associated with the reestablishment ofTCP connections. This provides performance improvements in the failoverscenario.

In some embodiments, in a PE failover scenario, when a PE of thestreaming application on one of the VXLAN segments fails, the resourcemanager 103 allocates a replacement PE, and the network manager 104“swaps” the failed PE and the replacement PE by assigning thereplacement PE to the VXLAN segment, without the delay associated withreestablishment of TCP connections experienced under conventionalconfigurations.

In some embodiments, the resource manager 103 and the network manager104 may allocate and assign new resources to a VXLAN segment, dependingon the processing needs of the streaming application, without needing toestablish TCP connections. For example, when the streaming applicationexperiences a data surge, and additional processing capacity of anoperator of a certain type is required, one or more new operators of thesame type may be allocated and assigned to the same VXLAN segment,without the need to establish new TCP connections. Similarly, whenprocessing capacity exceeds the needs of the streaming application,resources may be removed from a VXLAN segment without the need to removeTCP connections. In this manner, requirements of a SLA may be met withreduced overhead.

The VXLAN can be used to create isolation networks for a streamingapplication by assigning the VXLAN segments between the streamingapplication operators and PE's to the same unique network identifier.Data send on the VXLAN segments are encapsulated with the unique networkidentifier and routed accordingly. In some embodiments, when allentities in this isolated network is known, some security verificationmechanisms can be avoided, which improves the speed performance of thenetwork.

FIG. 8 illustrates a computer system, one or more of which implementsthe stream runtime environment 10, according to embodiments of thepresent invention. The computer system 800 is operationally coupled to aprocessor or processing units 806, a memory 801, and a bus 809 thatcouples various system components, including the memory 801 to theprocessor 806. The bus 809 represents one or more of any of severaltypes of bus structure, including a memory bus or memory controller, aperipheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or localbus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The memory 801 mayinclude computer readable media in the form of volatile memory, such asrandom access memory (RAM) 802 or cache memory 803, or non-volatilestorage media 804. The memory 801 may include at least one programproduct having a set of at least one program code module 805 that areconfigured to carry out the functions of embodiment of the presentinvention when executed by the processor 806. The computer system 800may also communicate with one or more external devices 811, such as adisplay 810, via I/O interfaces 807. The computer system 800 maycommunicate with one or more networks via network adapter 808.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for stream processing using a virtualextensible local area network (VXLAN), comprising: receiving, by amanagement system, an operator graph of a streaming application, theoperator graph comprising a plurality of processing elements, whereineach processing element comprises one or more operators of a pluralityof operators; using, by the management system, a group of VXLAN segmentsbetween the plurality of processing elements without transmissioncontrol protocol (TCP) connections, wherein a VXLAN segment of the groupof VXLAN segments is used between each pair of processing elements ofthe plurality of processing elements to exchange data based on theoperator graph; receiving input data by a first processing element ofthe plurality of processing elements; processing the input data by oneor more operators of the streaming application in the first processingelement; multicasting output data, by the first processing element, toeach of the VXLAN segments of the group of VXLAN segments, wherein eachof the other processing elements of the plurality of processing elementsreceive the output data; receiving the output data from the firstprocessing element by a second processing element on a given VXLANsegment of the group of VXLAN segments; in response to receiving theoutput data from the first processing element, determining, by thesecond processing element, whether the second processing element is anintended recipient of the output data; if the second processing elementis an intended recipient of the output data, processing the output databy one or more operators of the streaming application in the secondprocessing element; and if the second processing element is not theintended recipient of the output data, ignoring the output data by thesecond processing element.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:assigning, by the management system, an active host and one or morebackup hosts to a second given VXLAN segment of the group of VXLANsegments, wherein the active host and the one or more backup hostsreceive multicasted output data from the first processing element;determining, by the management system, that the active host has failed;in response, selecting, by the management system, a given backup host ofthe one or more backup hosts to replace the failed active host; andadding, by the management system, the given backup host to the secondgiven VXLAN segment as a replacement active host without reestablishmentof TCP connections.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:determining, by the management system, that a given processing elementon a second given VXLAN segment of the group of VXLAN segments hasfailed; in response, allocating, by the management system, a replacementprocessing element; and assigning, by the management system, thereplacement processing element on the second given VXLAN segment withoutreestablishment of TCP connections.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining, by the management system, that additionalprocessing capacity of a given operator of the plurality of operators isrequired, the given operator having a type and assigned to a secondgiven VXLAN segment of the group of VXLAN segments; allocating, by themanagement system, one or more new operators of the same type; andassigning, by the management system, the one or more new operators onthe second given VXLAN segment without establishing of new TCPconnections.
 5. A computer program product for stream processing using avirtual extensible local area network (VXLAN), the computer programproduct comprising a computer readable storage medium having programinstructions embodied therewith to: receive an operator graph of astreaming application, the operator graph comprising a plurality ofprocessing elements, wherein each processing element comprises one ormore operators of a plurality of operators; use a group of VXLANsegments between the plurality of processing elements withouttransmission control protocol (TCP) connections, wherein a VXLAN segmentof the group of VXLAN segments is used between each pair of processingelements of the plurality of processing elements to exchange data basedon the operator graph; receive input data by a first processing elementof the plurality of processing elements; process the input data by oneor more operators of the streaming application in the first processingelement; multicast output data, by the first processing element, to eachof the VXLAN segments of the group of VXLAN segments, wherein each ofthe other processing elements of the plurality of processing elementsreceive the output data; receive the output data from the firstprocessing element by a second processing element on a given VXLANsegment of the group of VXLAN segments; in response to receiving theoutput data from the first processing element, determine, by the secondprocessing element, whether the second processing element is an intendedrecipient of the output data; if the second processing element is anintended recipient of the output data, process the output data by one ormore operators of the streaming application in the second processingelement; and if the second processing element is not the intendedrecipient of the output data, ignore the output data by the secondprocessing element.
 6. The computer program product of claim 5, furthercomprising: assign an active host and one or more backup hosts to asecond given VXLAN segment of the group of VXLAN segments, wherein theactive host and the one or more backup hosts receive the multicastedoutput data from the first processing element; determine that the activehost has failed; in response, select a given backup host of the one ormore backup hosts to replace the failed active host; and add the givenbackup host to the second given VXLAN segment as a replacement activehost without reestablishment of TCP connections.
 7. The computer programproduct of claim 5, further comprising: determine that a givenprocessing element on a second given VXLAN segment of the group of VXLANsegments has failed; in response, allocate a replacement processingelement; and assign the replacement processing element to the secondgiven VXLAN segment without reestablishment of TCP connections.
 8. Thecomputer program product of claim 5, further comprising: determine thatadditional processing capacity of a given operator of the plurality ofoperators is required, the given operator having a type and assigned toa second given VXLAN segment of the group of VXLAN segments; allocateone or more new operators of the same type; and assign the one or morenew operators on the second given VXLAN segment without establishing newTCP connections.
 9. A system comprising: a processor; and a computerreadable storage medium having program instructions embodied therewithfor stream processing using a virtual extensible local area network(VXLAN), wherein the program instructions are executable to: receive anoperator graph of a streaming application, the operator graph comprisinga plurality of processing elements, wherein each processing elementcomprises one or more operators of a plurality of operators; use a groupof VXLAN segments between the plurality of processing elements withouttransmission control protocol (TCP) connections, wherein a VXLAN segmentof the group of VXLAN segments is used between each pair of processingelements of the plurality of processing elements to exchange data basedon the operator graph; receive input data by a first processing elementof the plurality of processing elements; process the input data by oneor more operators of the streaming application in the first processingelement; multicast output data, by the first processing element, to eachof the VXLAN segments of the group of VXLAN segments, wherein each ofthe other processing elements of the plurality of processing elementsreceive the output data; receive the output data from the firstprocessing element by a second processing element on a given VXLANsegment of the group of VXLAN segments; in response to receiving theoutput data from the first processing element, determine, by the secondprocessing element, whether the second processing element is an intendedrecipient of the output data; if the second processing element is anintended recipient of the output data, process the output data by one ormore operators of the streaming application in the second processingelement; and if the second processing element is not the intendedrecipient of the output data, ignore the output data by the secondprocessing element.
 10. The system of claim 9, further comprising:assign an active host and one or more backup hosts to a second givenVXLAN segment of the group of VXLAN segments, wherein the active hostand the one or more backup hosts receive the multicasted output datafrom the first processing element; determine that the active host hasfailed; in response, select a given backup host of the one or morebackup hosts to replace the failed active host; and add the given backuphost to the second given VXLAN segment as a replacement active hostwithout reestablishment of TCP connections.
 11. The system of claim 9,further comprising: determine that a given processing element on asecond given VXLAN segment of the group of VXLAN segments has failed; inresponse, allocate a replacement processing element; and assign thereplacement processing element on the second given VXLAN segment withoutreestablishment of TCP connections.
 12. The system of claim 9, furthercomprising: determine that additional processing capacity of a givenoperator of the plurality of operators is required, the given operatorhaving a type and assigned to a second given VXLAN segment of the groupof VXLAN segments; allocate one or more new operators of the same type;and assign the one or more new operators on the second given VXLANsegment without establishing new TCP connections.